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It Waits in the Forest
Unlike the other residents of the small Caribbean Island of St. Virgil, Selina DaSilva does not believe in magic. With a logical mind and a knack for botany, Selina used to dream of leaving the island to study Pharmacology—until a vicious, unsolved attack left her father dead and her mother in a coma.
Now her guilt over her mother’s condition keeps her tethered to the island, relegated to conning gullible tourists with useless talismans and phony protection rituals. But when one of those tourists ends up at the center of a string of strange murders, the truth that Selina has been denying can no longer be there is evil lurking in the forests that surround St. Virgil. Another thing that can’t be avoided? Selina’s ex-boyfriend Gabriel, newly employed at the local newspaper and eager to put his investigative skills to use.
Desperate to put an end to the killings and claim justice for Selina’s family, these two former lovers race to find answers. But evil bides its time. And as long-buried feelings and long-hidden secrets about Selina’s family’s past begin to reveal themselves, only one answer remains—and it waits in the forest.
Now her guilt over her mother’s condition keeps her tethered to the island, relegated to conning gullible tourists with useless talismans and phony protection rituals. But when one of those tourists ends up at the center of a string of strange murders, the truth that Selina has been denying can no longer be there is evil lurking in the forests that surround St. Virgil. Another thing that can’t be avoided? Selina’s ex-boyfriend Gabriel, newly employed at the local newspaper and eager to put his investigative skills to use.
Desperate to put an end to the killings and claim justice for Selina’s family, these two former lovers race to find answers. But evil bides its time. And as long-buried feelings and long-hidden secrets about Selina’s family’s past begin to reveal themselves, only one answer remains—and it waits in the forest.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2024
56 people are currently reading
5980 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Dass
4 books304 followersSarah Dass was born in Trinidad but has lived in Tobago since she was two years old. A graduate of University College London, she works as an office administrator by day and writes stories about the Caribbean by night. When she’s not writing, she’s reading or taking walks with her dachshund.
Sarah’s debut novel is inspired by her childhood, spent in a seaside hotel.
Sarah’s debut novel is inspired by her childhood, spent in a seaside hotel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
February 8, 2024
An unsettling mystery that lures you into the darkness of the trees and refuses to let you go until the very end. Dass explores the complicated nature of grief for not only people, but for the lives we hoped to live and the dreams that never became reality. It Waits in the Forest begs the question of how far you would go to reclaim what you’ve lost and what you risk sacrificing to get it. Compelling, creepy, and complex, this story will haunt you long after you’ve finished reading.
April 10, 2024
Umm...this was SO GOOD!
Read this as part of a video project where I read first chapters of three books aloud with commentary, so if you want a taste of what it's like check it out here: https://youtu.be/QjXoydVTcvo
I was completely sucked into this story and cannot recommend it enough. It Waits in the Forest is a YA paranormal mystery/horror blend, drawing on Carribbean mythology. It has a morally gray female lead with a traumatic past and a boyfriend I hated from chapter 1. She works at a souvenir shop and also cons people with psychic readings and charms, but people are dying on the island and she starts to have disturbing visions.
I don't want to say too much more than that because you should go in not knowing too much, but the creepy atmosphere is perfection and there are so many great twists in the story. Absolutely devoured this and I think it's going to be a big hit! I received a copy for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Read this as part of a video project where I read first chapters of three books aloud with commentary, so if you want a taste of what it's like check it out here: https://youtu.be/QjXoydVTcvo
I was completely sucked into this story and cannot recommend it enough. It Waits in the Forest is a YA paranormal mystery/horror blend, drawing on Carribbean mythology. It has a morally gray female lead with a traumatic past and a boyfriend I hated from chapter 1. She works at a souvenir shop and also cons people with psychic readings and charms, but people are dying on the island and she starts to have disturbing visions.
I don't want to say too much more than that because you should go in not knowing too much, but the creepy atmosphere is perfection and there are so many great twists in the story. Absolutely devoured this and I think it's going to be a big hit! I received a copy for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
May 1, 2024
I can’t say I read Sarah Dass’ IT WAITS IN THE FOREST, more like I devoured it… or it devoured me.
This book has been on my radar as a 2024 Read Caribbean release and I was not disappointed. Dass writes about a Caribbean Island called St. Virgil where magical things happen all the time. However, there is one local, Selina who wants to explain the magic away, especially after a vicious, unsolved attack left her father dead and her mother in a coma. She is making a living pulling the wool over people's eyes and she does this until someone shows up at the store asking for her help. The next day, they are wanted for a crime.
St. Virgil is a quiet Caribbean island that becomes the scene of three mysterious deaths, Selina wonders who these deaths can be related to her father's and her mom being in a coma.
If you love adventure, if you enjoy Caribbean folklore, if murder mystery and thrillers are your thing, then you have to pick this one up. I got so nostalgic reading this book because it is exactly the kind of book I would read in my teenage years, the book I would get lost in because of the adventure that awaits in the pages.
Congratulations on an amazing book Sarah Dass! I need more people to read this!
P.S. If you are afraid of duppy and bucks, I recommend only reading during the day.
This book has been on my radar as a 2024 Read Caribbean release and I was not disappointed. Dass writes about a Caribbean Island called St. Virgil where magical things happen all the time. However, there is one local, Selina who wants to explain the magic away, especially after a vicious, unsolved attack left her father dead and her mother in a coma. She is making a living pulling the wool over people's eyes and she does this until someone shows up at the store asking for her help. The next day, they are wanted for a crime.
St. Virgil is a quiet Caribbean island that becomes the scene of three mysterious deaths, Selina wonders who these deaths can be related to her father's and her mom being in a coma.
If you love adventure, if you enjoy Caribbean folklore, if murder mystery and thrillers are your thing, then you have to pick this one up. I got so nostalgic reading this book because it is exactly the kind of book I would read in my teenage years, the book I would get lost in because of the adventure that awaits in the pages.
Congratulations on an amazing book Sarah Dass! I need more people to read this!
P.S. If you are afraid of duppy and bucks, I recommend only reading during the day.
June 24, 2024
It Waits in the Forest is a mystery blended with a second chance romance taking place on a small island where a fake psychic must enlist her ex boyfriend's help to solve a string of murders after before they end up the next victims.
In this one, Sarah Dass incorporates local mythology in a story that will have you questioning what's real and what's imagined.
Review below
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
In this one, Sarah Dass incorporates local mythology in a story that will have you questioning what's real and what's imagined.
Review below
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
August 13, 2024
It waits in the forest by Sarah Dass
This book was very interesting I went in blind and was very shook lol. Not me thinking this was just a cozy fantasy cause of the cover. This had mystery that had me clenching the book. This book had second chance romance and a strong black FMC I see myself in. This magical caribbean tale had grief, darkness, magic , mystery and myths. There were many moment that felt stagnant but the action did carry it for me.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was very interesting I went in blind and was very shook lol. Not me thinking this was just a cozy fantasy cause of the cover. This had mystery that had me clenching the book. This book had second chance romance and a strong black FMC I see myself in. This magical caribbean tale had grief, darkness, magic , mystery and myths. There were many moment that felt stagnant but the action did carry it for me.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 20, 2025
“If they were afraid, then I didn’t have to be.”
Fun fact: the 'it' in the title actually refers to me. I'm the "It" that Waits in the Forest, waiting for this book to actually be about a forest.
That aside, I don't have much to say about this book - good or bad.
It was an eerie thriller, almost reminiscent of Spells of Forgetting by Adrienne Young with a complex main character and an atmospheric setting. I appreciated the discussions of superstition as a weapon, as well as Selina's own personal difficulty to believe in herself.
However! Along with not being very suspenseful (imo), this book also felt pretty redundant, with more of the story focusing on the love triangle than I typically care for. I understand this book is aimed a bit younger, so I'm not belittling it for the romance - but it did lessen my enjoyment, due to how it unfolded.
And there was very little forest. I wanted more forest.
Overall, this was fine. I don't regret reading it, but it won't be one I revisit.
Fun fact: the 'it' in the title actually refers to me. I'm the "It" that Waits in the Forest, waiting for this book to actually be about a forest.
That aside, I don't have much to say about this book - good or bad.
It was an eerie thriller, almost reminiscent of Spells of Forgetting by Adrienne Young with a complex main character and an atmospheric setting. I appreciated the discussions of superstition as a weapon, as well as Selina's own personal difficulty to believe in herself.
However! Along with not being very suspenseful (imo), this book also felt pretty redundant, with more of the story focusing on the love triangle than I typically care for. I understand this book is aimed a bit younger, so I'm not belittling it for the romance - but it did lessen my enjoyment, due to how it unfolded.
And there was very little forest. I wanted more forest.
Overall, this was fine. I don't regret reading it, but it won't be one I revisit.
May 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this creepy read inspired by our folklore. Let me tell you I was like i am nooot reading this at night but lo and behold I just finished it...at night lol. The author really captured the eerie anxiety ridden feeling that the MC felt with each new strange thing that happened to her. And yup, I was there engaged to the very last word cuz I didn't figure out where this was going at all so nice twist!
Also...having grown up on a lot of these folklore stories I was really engrossed and enjoyed how the author weaved these very familiar, to me, tales in here in this sort of murder mystery type way.
Seline was also quite an interesting and multifaceted character. Flawed. Making not the best choices but that felt really authentic to me.
So if you're looking for a spooky Caribbean-esque read this is iiiit!
Also...having grown up on a lot of these folklore stories I was really engrossed and enjoyed how the author weaved these very familiar, to me, tales in here in this sort of murder mystery type way.
Seline was also quite an interesting and multifaceted character. Flawed. Making not the best choices but that felt really authentic to me.
So if you're looking for a spooky Caribbean-esque read this is iiiit!
May 27, 2024
Very, very consuming, couldn’t put it down for a moment. The combination of sheltered island life and folklore was simply delicious. I only wish so much of the story weren’t reported to us like news but shown
June 23, 2024
Thank you @disneybooks for my copy.
⠀
June is #ReadCarribean month and I wanted to read at least one book before the month ended. I definitely enjoyed the story and learning about the history of St. Virgil and Caribbean mythology. I did feel that the story stalled a little in the middle. The horror elements were creepy and the twist at the end was shocking and also heartbreaking as well. This was my first time reading this author and I have already purchased When The Vibe Is Right to read as well!
⠀
June is #ReadCarribean month and I wanted to read at least one book before the month ended. I definitely enjoyed the story and learning about the history of St. Virgil and Caribbean mythology. I did feel that the story stalled a little in the middle. The horror elements were creepy and the twist at the end was shocking and also heartbreaking as well. This was my first time reading this author and I have already purchased When The Vibe Is Right to read as well!
Read
January 26, 2024I’m left wondering if I blacked out while reading because for a book titled It Waits in the Forest, the forest is barely mentioned. There’s maybe 6% of the story that takes place in the forest and not even in a significant way. Not to mention this “It” that’s supposedly waiting in the forest is also not really a convincing threat to the story. I’m highly confused.
This leans more heavily towards a murder mystery and ya second chance rekindling of love than a suspense thriller. Honestly most of the story was spent on the love triangle Selina finds herself in when her ex boyfriend returns. Seriously thriller where? Suspense where? Sure, the FMC is haunted by hallucinations and there are multiple murders. That’s not enough to make a thriller.
For me, the story lacked tension, urgency, and a sense of consistent danger. The story doesn’t really get somewhat interesting until like 90% in. Not to mention the title and cover which I don’t think are fitting for the actual plot of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced eARC.
This leans more heavily towards a murder mystery and ya second chance rekindling of love than a suspense thriller. Honestly most of the story was spent on the love triangle Selina finds herself in when her ex boyfriend returns. Seriously thriller where? Suspense where? Sure, the FMC is haunted by hallucinations and there are multiple murders. That’s not enough to make a thriller.
For me, the story lacked tension, urgency, and a sense of consistent danger. The story doesn’t really get somewhat interesting until like 90% in. Not to mention the title and cover which I don’t think are fitting for the actual plot of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced eARC.
Read
July 2, 2024Hurrah for YAs set in the Caribbean written by people living in the Caribbean! I don't see that very often in trad US publishing and it makes me ridiculously happy. And this one was fun! Loved the world-building and the mystery/horror. Very into the psychic stuff too 👀. It's my first Dass book but it won't be my last.
July 18, 2024
I listened to the audio version and it was really great. It was full of mystery and I didn’t guess who the culprit was until the very end. It also incorporates a lot of African and Caribbean mythos. A great mystery/horror for teens to read.
June 21, 2024
I ended up taking a couple of days to read the first half, and then finished the second half in one sitting. It's the first thriller in the RRP imprint and meant for YA/teen readers, but it's not super creepy, although it has its moments.
I liked the setting of a small Carribean Island (I have no idea if it's a real place), as well as the Carribean mythology that was incorporated into the story. I wasn't completely sold on the protagonist initially, as she made questionable decisions, but morally grey would be a good description for her. I was not a fan of her so-called friends or boyfriend, but as you learn the back story, it's a little easier to understand her choices. Still, when her old boyfriend, son of her pseudo foster mother reappears, it's easier to understand his side of things.
I thought the world-building (if you want to call it that--this felt like realistic fiction/magical realism) was well done, and I really felt the conflict Selina feels between the old-world magic and the struggle to survive in the world of tourism as this tiny island fights to compete with its more successful sister island. While I wasn't creeped out throughout, there were moments when I was checking around the corners as my house made some noise. The author did a great job of building atmosphere, although I have to admit I was more creeped out my human monsters than by supernatural monsters. But that too was part of the story.
Overall, I thought this was a great addition to the RRP imprint and I plan on checking out other books by this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I liked the setting of a small Carribean Island (I have no idea if it's a real place), as well as the Carribean mythology that was incorporated into the story. I wasn't completely sold on the protagonist initially, as she made questionable decisions, but morally grey would be a good description for her. I was not a fan of her so-called friends or boyfriend, but as you learn the back story, it's a little easier to understand her choices. Still, when her old boyfriend, son of her pseudo foster mother reappears, it's easier to understand his side of things.
I thought the world-building (if you want to call it that--this felt like realistic fiction/magical realism) was well done, and I really felt the conflict Selina feels between the old-world magic and the struggle to survive in the world of tourism as this tiny island fights to compete with its more successful sister island. While I wasn't creeped out throughout, there were moments when I was checking around the corners as my house made some noise. The author did a great job of building atmosphere, although I have to admit I was more creeped out my human monsters than by supernatural monsters. But that too was part of the story.
Overall, I thought this was a great addition to the RRP imprint and I plan on checking out other books by this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
to-watch
June 15, 2023A YA supernatural thriller inspired by Caribbean folklore?! They're calling it "a chilling tale of magic, murder, and how far we'll go to protect what's ours." listen, I have chills fdslsfd
Also, this cover by Hillary D Wilson & designed by Phil Buchanan is BEAUTIFUL, STUNNING!
Also, this cover by Hillary D Wilson & designed by Phil Buchanan is BEAUTIFUL, STUNNING!
January 9, 2025
I went in blindly and I grew even more excited for this book while reading the first portion of Rick Riordan's insert. The second part felt like it provided spoilers, but I continued reading. So was Rick Riordan correct about this being a layered story? Yes and it was written so well. I even got worried for Selina and myself for a bit there. Lastly, Gabriel is more of a friend and comfort than Edward ever was in my book. The reveals of this story had me floored and upset.
June 24, 2024
Thank you to Disney, Rick Riordan Presents, and NetGalley for the eGalley to review!
What a trip! This story starts off a bit slow but once it picks up, it gets *going* and I didn't want to put it down.
Selina doesn't believe in the supernatural folklore or spirituality of her ancestors, especially after her mother's reputation for being a "witch" got Selina bullied and outcast by everyone living on the island of St. Virgil. Yet she's decided to put that reputation to use by becoming a "fake" psychic reader and more or less scamming those same people with readings and her (very real) "potions" (she's an excellent herbalist and this is a major plot point!). This is a bid to make them fear her rather than hate her. It's a whole mess of self-loathing brought about by the cruel ignorance of those who are supposed to be her community and she must work through that the further into this journey she goes. This reputation of her mother's (and eventually Selina's) largely began two years ago when both of her parents investigated into a set of suspicious murders on the island that ultimately got her father killed too and her mother in a coma. Now, Selina is forced to re-investigate just what happened to her parents when a potential murderer comes demanding her help from the supernatural and Selina begins to have nightmares and visions she's desperate to dismiss as hallucinations from a number of more natural things.
On top of all of this thrilling suspense and mystery is a romance so sweet I said "awww" too many times to count, as Selina's ex-boyfriend Gabriel is back after being gone for those two years (and after surviving a plane crash to boot), and their chemistry and magnetism are off the charts even though Selina is trying really hard to make it work with another boy. It makes the story a perfect mix of creepy and sweet, giving us moments of reprieve from the more heinous situations that Selina and Gabriel get into.
A couple of times I was reading well into the late night in bed and I will tell you those creepy bits will make you look over your shoulder or startle at sounds while you're reading them. There's an especially anxious chapter involving seemingly never-ending stairs in pitch black while sounds that only Selina can hear are coming from behind and phew did that make it hard for me to sleep after reading! The supernatural aspect of this story is based in real African spirituality (Obeah, Hoodoo, and Haitian Vodou) and Caribbean folklore, making it rich in culture and making sure these practices and stories remain alive. While Selina doesn't initially believe in any of it, she ultimately comes to understand it better and respect and even appreciate it.
When the Big Reveal happens, I was initially disappointed in the twist, but eventually as it became more fleshed out, it made more sense and I was able to go along with the flow of it. The ending happens abruptly, however, and I wish we had an epilogue. That said, I was satisfied with how everything is resolved. I'd even say it's worth a re-read to see if anything was foreshadowed!
If you love supernatural mystery, suspense, and thriller with a side of adorable romance, or would love to read an excellent story based in African/Caribbean spirituality and folklore, give this one a shot. I highly recommend it.
What a trip! This story starts off a bit slow but once it picks up, it gets *going* and I didn't want to put it down.
Selina doesn't believe in the supernatural folklore or spirituality of her ancestors, especially after her mother's reputation for being a "witch" got Selina bullied and outcast by everyone living on the island of St. Virgil. Yet she's decided to put that reputation to use by becoming a "fake" psychic reader and more or less scamming those same people with readings and her (very real) "potions" (she's an excellent herbalist and this is a major plot point!). This is a bid to make them fear her rather than hate her. It's a whole mess of self-loathing brought about by the cruel ignorance of those who are supposed to be her community and she must work through that the further into this journey she goes. This reputation of her mother's (and eventually Selina's) largely began two years ago when both of her parents investigated into a set of suspicious murders on the island that ultimately got her father killed too and her mother in a coma. Now, Selina is forced to re-investigate just what happened to her parents when a potential murderer comes demanding her help from the supernatural and Selina begins to have nightmares and visions she's desperate to dismiss as hallucinations from a number of more natural things.
On top of all of this thrilling suspense and mystery is a romance so sweet I said "awww" too many times to count, as Selina's ex-boyfriend Gabriel is back after being gone for those two years (and after surviving a plane crash to boot), and their chemistry and magnetism are off the charts even though Selina is trying really hard to make it work with another boy. It makes the story a perfect mix of creepy and sweet, giving us moments of reprieve from the more heinous situations that Selina and Gabriel get into.
A couple of times I was reading well into the late night in bed and I will tell you those creepy bits will make you look over your shoulder or startle at sounds while you're reading them. There's an especially anxious chapter involving seemingly never-ending stairs in pitch black while sounds that only Selina can hear are coming from behind and phew did that make it hard for me to sleep after reading! The supernatural aspect of this story is based in real African spirituality (Obeah, Hoodoo, and Haitian Vodou) and Caribbean folklore, making it rich in culture and making sure these practices and stories remain alive. While Selina doesn't initially believe in any of it, she ultimately comes to understand it better and respect and even appreciate it.
When the Big Reveal happens, I was initially disappointed in the twist, but eventually as it became more fleshed out, it made more sense and I was able to go along with the flow of it. The ending happens abruptly, however, and I wish we had an epilogue. That said, I was satisfied with how everything is resolved. I'd even say it's worth a re-read to see if anything was foreshadowed!
If you love supernatural mystery, suspense, and thriller with a side of adorable romance, or would love to read an excellent story based in African/Caribbean spirituality and folklore, give this one a shot. I highly recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2024
3.5/5
Great mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Rounded down for the love triangle.
Book CW // blood, death, bullying, occult practices, violence, cheating
Selina has always been the outcast of the small Caribbean island of St. Virgil. She's the daughter of a police detective father and a psychic mother. Selina has never believed in the abilities of her mother or the stories of the island, much preferring to stick to herbology and science. After the vicious attack that killed her father and put her mother in a coma two years ago, she now lives with Muriel, her mother's best friend and the mother of her ex-boyfriend Gabriel. She works with Allison, her friend, at her shop providing fake psychic readings and remedies. Allison is the sister of Edward, the guy she's seeing. Life isn't perfect, but Selina feels more normal than she had years before.
But when her ex, Gabriel, shows up, things start getting hectic for Selina. Murders start happening that are very similar to the attack on her parents. Wanting to find answers and solve the case, Selina has to team up with Gabriel to dig into the mysteries of the island. But both of them are in for more than they bargained for as their beliefs and feelings are tested to their limits.
----
This book was pretty good. I liked all the characters and believed that they were portrayed quite authentically with honest flaws and motivations. I could understand everyone's point of view and it was nice to see nuanced antagonists instead of purely evil people.
I liked the world building, although it was mostly contemporary and there wasn't a lot of description of the rainforest or anything. It felt real and I loved the inclusion of the flowers and plants for Selina's work.
I didn't like Selina's feelings towards Gabriel in the beginning. I think she was horribly unfair to Edward and when given the chance she chose to be selfish, which isn't the first time she's selfish either. It really annoyed me. I hate love triangles, especially ones like this.
The plot twist was really great. I didn't see it coming. The pacing was pretty good, really ramping up at the end and hitting you with so much. I really liked how strong the ending was. I liked the folklore and the people who believed and who didn't. It's a wonderful book and the cover is gorgeous!
Great mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Rounded down for the love triangle.
Book CW // blood, death, bullying, occult practices, violence, cheating
Selina has always been the outcast of the small Caribbean island of St. Virgil. She's the daughter of a police detective father and a psychic mother. Selina has never believed in the abilities of her mother or the stories of the island, much preferring to stick to herbology and science. After the vicious attack that killed her father and put her mother in a coma two years ago, she now lives with Muriel, her mother's best friend and the mother of her ex-boyfriend Gabriel. She works with Allison, her friend, at her shop providing fake psychic readings and remedies. Allison is the sister of Edward, the guy she's seeing. Life isn't perfect, but Selina feels more normal than she had years before.
But when her ex, Gabriel, shows up, things start getting hectic for Selina. Murders start happening that are very similar to the attack on her parents. Wanting to find answers and solve the case, Selina has to team up with Gabriel to dig into the mysteries of the island. But both of them are in for more than they bargained for as their beliefs and feelings are tested to their limits.
----
This book was pretty good. I liked all the characters and believed that they were portrayed quite authentically with honest flaws and motivations. I could understand everyone's point of view and it was nice to see nuanced antagonists instead of purely evil people.
I liked the world building, although it was mostly contemporary and there wasn't a lot of description of the rainforest or anything. It felt real and I loved the inclusion of the flowers and plants for Selina's work.
I didn't like Selina's feelings towards Gabriel in the beginning. I think she was horribly unfair to Edward and when given the chance she chose to be selfish, which isn't the first time she's selfish either. It really annoyed me. I hate love triangles, especially ones like this.
The plot twist was really great. I didn't see it coming. The pacing was pretty good, really ramping up at the end and hitting you with so much. I really liked how strong the ending was. I liked the folklore and the people who believed and who didn't. It's a wonderful book and the cover is gorgeous!
September 27, 2024
Me DNFing another book....
I don't know what's up with me! Nothing seems to be hitting right now...
This had potential, but I didn't have the ambition to keep going.
I don't know what's up with me! Nothing seems to be hitting right now...
This had potential, but I didn't have the ambition to keep going.
January 16, 2024
Yes.
I couldn't put this one down. I was do drawn into the narrative and utterly swallowed by Selina's guilt, grief, and poor decision making. She's as imperfect as she is compelling.
The story and cast is characters are sure to resonate with the target audience. I adored this one.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
I couldn't put this one down. I was do drawn into the narrative and utterly swallowed by Selina's guilt, grief, and poor decision making. She's as imperfect as she is compelling.
The story and cast is characters are sure to resonate with the target audience. I adored this one.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
October 4, 2025
Very enjoyable; loved the references to African & Caribbean mythology. The first half of the book was a little slow for me, but I appreciated how quickly the pace picked up for the second half of the book.
April 29, 2025
Dare I say the best book I’ll read in 2025 and it’s only April?? idk where to begin but this book was incredible from start to finish. there wasn’t a single chapter that was boring or wasted. All of the characters, even the minor ones, are really well written. The main character Selina has tons of flaws from the very nature of her job to the unwise decisions she makes time and time again, but you can’t help but root for her. None of her choices are malicious. And she’s often trying to keep others from getting hurt. I loved her as a character.
At its heart, this is a spooky YA mystery about a girl from the island of St. Virgil who exploits people’s belief in the supernatural for money while emotionally recovering from the horrific murder of her parents. But a string of new murders begin popping up around the island and Selina is at the heart of the cases. The plot touches on themes of self-loathing, the double-edged sword of tourism, and the horrors that resort companies perpetuate by privatizing public land. It was really well done. 10/10 book that everyone who likes mystery should read.
Minor-spoilers below:
Things I loved:
I love how the supernatural creature takes the shape of whoever it’s dealing with. It made Selina look a lot of her own fears of guilt and grief in the face, literally. I love that the creature couldn’t directly harm people (unless you made a deal with it), but could use people to harm others. I also love the whole skeptic has powers trope. I eat it up every time. I love that it’s never really disclosed what type of power Selina has, other than she’s a psychic of some sort that has somewhat clairvoyant dreams and senses/sees the dead sometimes. Selina doesn’t really understand what she can do until the very end of the book, so I don’t mind that it’s not super clear to the reader either.
Overall, Selina deserves an apology from literally everyone except Gabriel in this book. Every single person in this book (minus Gabriel) treated her like shit FOR WHAT. That girl has been thru so much trauma is she gonna be ok?? My only gripe is that I wish there was an epilogue scene set a few years in the future to see how Selina and Gabriel are doing (mentally tbh) and if she ever ended up going to school. Either way, I still liked the open ending.
At its heart, this is a spooky YA mystery about a girl from the island of St. Virgil who exploits people’s belief in the supernatural for money while emotionally recovering from the horrific murder of her parents. But a string of new murders begin popping up around the island and Selina is at the heart of the cases. The plot touches on themes of self-loathing, the double-edged sword of tourism, and the horrors that resort companies perpetuate by privatizing public land. It was really well done. 10/10 book that everyone who likes mystery should read.
Minor-spoilers below:
Things I loved:
I love how the supernatural creature takes the shape of whoever it’s dealing with. It made Selina look a lot of her own fears of guilt and grief in the face, literally. I love that the creature couldn’t directly harm people (unless you made a deal with it), but could use people to harm others. I also love the whole skeptic has powers trope. I eat it up every time. I love that it’s never really disclosed what type of power Selina has, other than she’s a psychic of some sort that has somewhat clairvoyant dreams and senses/sees the dead sometimes. Selina doesn’t really understand what she can do until the very end of the book, so I don’t mind that it’s not super clear to the reader either.
Overall, Selina deserves an apology from literally everyone except Gabriel in this book. Every single person in this book (minus Gabriel) treated her like shit FOR WHAT. That girl has been thru so much trauma is she gonna be ok?? My only gripe is that I wish there was an epilogue scene set a few years in the future to see how Selina and Gabriel are doing (mentally tbh) and if she ever ended up going to school. Either way, I still liked the open ending.
July 4, 2024
This had some good writing but I’m not sure it was enough. Selina is a guilt ridden 18 year old trying to make a living as a fake psychic. She is an employee to a girl who wasn’t nice to her when they were little. Now the two of them con locals and tourists for a living, although Selina often uses herbs that do actually work. They stumble into a mystery that seems vaguely tied into her own parents’ death. Actually, that’s incorrect. Her mother is in a coma but she certainly isn’t alive in any real sense of the word. This was punctuated by chapters where people recounted their stories. I suppose they were supposed to be hints. They instead stopped the pacing of the story and confused me. I kind of see the logic of whodunit but some of it seems rather tenuous. I rather hope that Rick Riordin Presents stays in the J area. I’m not a big fan of any of the YA I’ve read from the imprint. The main character is well drawn. I mostly didn’t like the mystery itself.
October 25, 2024
I thought the premise of this book was interesting but some parts of it fell flat for me. The mystery itself was interesting and the supernatural elements that were present were cool but I wished we gotten more of it. The story felt kind of bogged down by the relationship drama, imo it distracted away from the main plot. I think this is still worth reading, I haven’t read a lot of books set in the Caribbean and the main plot is engaging enough to read to the end.
Read
June 25, 2024DNF at 53%
I was excited to read this book, but it turned out to be less exciting then I thought and then with the addition of it being 420 something pages for me it just seemed like it was a LOT with how the pacing was going slow and I wasn’t invested in the characters as much as I thought I would be either.
I was excited to read this book, but it turned out to be less exciting then I thought and then with the addition of it being 420 something pages for me it just seemed like it was a LOT with how the pacing was going slow and I wasn’t invested in the characters as much as I thought I would be either.
June 13, 2025
Some creepy folklore , suspense , mystery... was an intriguing read. I guessed the big twist but not until I was pretty far into the book.
You can tell the characters are 18 by the instant jealousy they voice when one of them is speaking to someone of opposite gender. Really my only gripe with this book 😂
You can tell the characters are 18 by the instant jealousy they voice when one of them is speaking to someone of opposite gender. Really my only gripe with this book 😂
September 1, 2024
I liked it. I loved the lore and magic that was brought into the story and of the island. This story had rich characters, and I didn't see the ending coming. Definitely took me by surprise, though I feel like I should have seen it. Hindsight is always 20/20. This is a perfect end of summer read.
March 25, 2025
All the side plots lead to the end. They are several mysteries that feel connected but don’t snap until it’s dropped.
That mother was off. She was too considerate.
Twist in chapter 38 is pretty decent. I stopped in my tracks
That mother was off. She was too considerate.
Twist in chapter 38 is pretty decent. I stopped in my tracks
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2024
I had a hard time putting this down! There is just the right balance of thrill, mystery, and folklore.
July 22, 2024
3.5/3.75 can’t decide! I enjoyed this book! The imagery and creepiness were depicted spot-on for me. Some parts of the story I could envision so well… probably a little too well. The twist shook me, it was there all along, but I missed it completely.
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